By embedding space education into the GCSE curriculum, the article suggests that students will be more engaged and better prepared for future careers in space, supported by the positive influence of teachers over traditional outreach programs. Some suggestions are made for supporting easily embedded opportunities for all pupils to engage with space, initially in the GCSE science curriculum. The article argues for the integration of space-related topics into the UK school curriculum to address skills gaps in the space sector and inspire students. It highlights the economic and research significance of the space industry while pointing out the current deficiencies in science education.

Useful Links
AQA GCSE statistics June 2023: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/over/stat_pdf/AQA-GCSE-STATS-JUN-2023.PDF
HSDC (Hampshire and South Downs College) Space Technologies Programme: www.hsdc.ac.uk/home/space-technologies-programme

References & Further Reading
Bennett, J., Airey, J., Dunlop, L., and Turkenburg, M. (2018) The impact of human spaceflight on young people’s attitudes to STEM subjects. Final report to the UK Space Agency and ESRC, January 2018. York: University of York Department of Education.

DeWitt, J. and Bultitude, K. (2020) Space science: the view from European school students. Research in Science Education, 50(5), 1943–1959. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-018-9759-y 

DfE (2015) National Curriculum in England. www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-curriculum-in-england-science-programmes-of-study

DSIT and MOD (2024) Space industrial plan. www.gov.uk/government/publications/space-industrial-plan

Dudley, J. and Thiemann, H. (2023) How and why people join the UK space sector. Space Skills Alliance. https://spaceskills.org/census-routes#summary

Endeavor (2019) Celebrating Apollo 11: Inspiring STEM educators for 50 years. www.us-satellite.net/endeavor/apollo11.cfm

IPSOS (2019) Attitudes towards space exploration. www.ipsos.com/en-us/news-polls/cspan-space-exploration-2019

LEGO (2019) The LEGO group kicks off global program to inspire the next generation of space explorers as NASA celebrates 50 years of moon landing. www.lego.com/en-in/aboutus/news/2019/july/lego-group-kicks-off-globalprogram-to-inspire-the-next-generation-of-space-explorers-as-nasa-celebrates-50-years-of-moon-landing?locale=en-in

London Economics (2023), Size and health of the UK space industry 2023’ study launch. https://londoneconomics.co.uk/blog/press-event/size-health-of-the-uk-space-industry-2023-study-launch

Office for Life Sciences (2024) Life sciences competitiveness indicators 2024: summary. www.gov.uk/government/publications/life-sciences-sector-data-2024/life-sciences-competitiveness-indicators-2024-summary

Reiss, M. J. and Mujtaba, T. (2017) Should we embed careers education in STEM lessons? The Curriculum Journal, 28(1), 137–150. DOI: 10.1080/09585176.2016.1261718

Space Skills Alliance (2024) The UK Space Skills Landscape Map. https://spaceskills.org/landscape

Thiemann, H. and Dudley, J. (2023) Space sector skills survey 2023 results. https://spaceskills.org/space-sector-skills-survey